Speakers

for the

May 3-5, 2017

GLACIER CANYON CONFERENCE CENTERWILDERNESS RESORT, WISCONSIN DELL

Navigate 2017 with RFW and RSA!

Federal regulations are rapidly changing the way Wisconsin supports people who experience a disability. As we look toward the future, it’s clear that we are entering uncharted waters. This year, we will focus on navigating those waters.

With anticipated attendance of over 300 professionals, we will be pulling together experts in advocacy, state policy, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), special minimum wage, job development, guardianship, community rehabilitation programs and residential supports. We will also welcome political experts from both Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.

This conference will provide you with tools and takeaway materials that you can implement the day you get back to work. Continuing Education Units (CEU) and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credits will also be provided. Come along and experience some of the best networking opportunities in our industry.

FEATURED SPEAKER: DENNIS WINTERS

Dennis Winters, Chief Economist, Office of Economic Advisors, is a nationally recognized expert on human resource challenges in the competitive global economic environment. Dennis has expertise in regional and national macroeconomics, energy and labor markets and economic impact analysis. In this presentation, he will address the workforce shortage in Wisconsin.

FEATURED SPEAKER: CURTIS CUNNINGHAM

Curtis Cunningham is the Assistant Administrator of Long Term Care Benefits and Programs in the Division of Medicaid Services, where he is responsible for the provision of long-term support and services for the elderly and people with disabilities. Curtis administers and oversees the Family Care managed care program, IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) program, several community-based Medicaid waiver programs and support services for children with disabilities. In this presentation, he will address the Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule.

Featured Sessions

Job & Business Development Panel featuring: Craig Culver Presenters/panel will share best practices for building employer partnerships that expand competitive integrated employment options for individuals with diverse abilities.

Success that Crosses Providers and Settings Teachers, Students, and Providers: Nancy Molfenter and Robin KennedyThe Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) strengthens requirements for school transition services, provides a set of service categories to work from, and stresses competitive, integrated employment as the outcome for all students with disabilities. While WIOA prohibits schools from operating under a 14 (c) special wage certificate or purchasing transition services that include work typically paid at sub-minimum wage, many schools across Wisconsin – and students who attend them – benefit greatly from vocational support provider services. Individual examples and programs like Project SEARCH can help students, teachers, parents, and employers understand that the path to employment for students with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities, is often paved with multiple partners, including community rehabilitation providers.

When many people think of improv, Drew Carey or Second City may come to mind. But the rules of improv can be practical, powerful and fun “tools” for generating ideas, unlocking frozen brains, and giving a lift to our teams and workplaces. While this session will be active and fun, it is not about comedy. Attendees will learn a new way of generating ideas, “Yes, AND” rather than “Yes, But,” and will experience the positive, creative energy that ensues. This leads to better opportunities for people being supported, AND, greater joy and satisfaction for the supporters.

Peter Leidy – Seven Ways to Prevent a Crisis

Many people labeled with “challenging behavior” spiral into crisis through actions and events that could have been avoided. Many crises are caused – unintentionally – by the system, the team or the behavior plan. When people are lonely and disconnected, when life is dull, when a “home” does not feel like home, when a place where someone spends the day is not a good match – the likelihood of unwanted behavior increases. This is not a session about techniques, but rather about how paying attention to quality of life relates to crisis prevention.

Shawn Bass – Managing Threatening Confrontations

Managing Threatening Confrontations is designed to assist you in learning how to effectively support adults with developmental disabilities and others who could experience the full range of behavioral escalation. These moments often appear chaotic, when to talk, when to step back, who to call for back up, and “when to duck.” This seminar is designed to put order to the chaos. Stages of escalation are described and each stage is paired with a positive action plan for caregivers as well as teams. The content places strong emphasis on pro-active supports. The principles are taught in a straightforward manner so as to provide a framework for conceptualizing behavior escalation that can readily translate into positive plans of action.

Janet Estervig – Personal Care Provision

This session will focus on providing personal care at home and in the workplace. Receive materials to assist in training support staff in the provision of personal care with an emphasis on maintaining the person’s dignity with respectful interactions. Learn tips on providing personal care in community environments as well.

Session Schedule

for the

May 3-5, 2017

GLACIER CANYON CONFERENCE CENTERWILDERNESS RESORT, WISCONSIN DELLS

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Preconference Sessions1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

1) Kathy Klicka – Individual Service Plan and Assessment TrainingThis interactive, fast-paced session will help attendees to complete thorough pre-admission assessments and functional, high quality Individual Service Plans. The attendees will come away with tools and resources that they can immediately put into action in their residential settings.

2) Thomas Godar – A. Changes to Expect with the New Administration

A. Changes to Expect with the New Administration

The first session will describe some of the changes that have taken place under the new administration affecting healthcare in general, and care for the disabled particularly, as well as other changes potentially impacting owners and executives of agencies providing services to the disabled.

Learning Objectives:

•Acquaint owners and executives with changes to regulations or statutes impacting healthcare organizations providing services to the disabled.

•Allow owners and executives to discuss strategies for finding positive consequences and avoid negative outcomes arising from these changes.

B. Social Media and the Workplace

The second session will examine the use of social media by organizations, as well as employees within organizations, and the opportunities and pitfalls that such technology presents.

Learning Objectives:

•Introduce executives and owners to specific issues that might result from employees’ use of social media, with or without employer participation, as it relates to items such as defamation, harassment or positive engagement in the community and creating opportunities for social activism.

•Discuss specific policies that organizations may wish to adopt and enforce to regulate and coordinate use of social media by their organization and employees.

3) Tedi Winnett – Communicating Across Generations Never before in our country’s history have so many different generations worked together in one setting. Each generation brings its unique perspectives, values, needs and expectations to the workplace. This workshop will help you understand the multi-generations and increase your capacity to work effectively with diverse working styles.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Keynote9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Dennis Winters – Wisconsin’s Workforce Changes The labor market has changed. The mix of skills required in the modern economy has changed. Mr. Winters will present the workforce challenges facing Wisconsin and the economic impacts.

Breakout Session 110:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

1) Curtis Cunningham – HCBS Setting RuleThere are many changes occurring in Medicaid long term care due to changes at the federal and state levels. As the Assistant Administrator over Medicaid Long-Term Care, Curtis Cunningham will provide an overview of these changes including: Family Care and IRIS expansion, the status of the current charges to the Long Term Care Advisory Council, the development of a long term

2) Job & Business Development Panel Panel members: Craig Culver Presenters/panel will share best practices for building employer partnerships that expand competitive integrated employment options for individuals with diverse abilities.

Breakout Session 212:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

1) Robin Kennedy – Grass Roots Advocacy 101 Session will present an overview of the A TEA.M. Grassroots System. A result driven, methodical approach to engage people at a grassroots level to ignite passion, create awareness and build advisement opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities and their loved ones.

It will introduce the model’s innovate framework based on its 3 A structure; Advocacy, Awareness and Advisement along with what is required to launch it successfully.

2) Dave Varana – Family Care Rate Setting This session is led by Dave Varana, CFO of Wisconsin’s Long Term Care programs, for a briefing on the State of Wisconsin’s capitated rate methodology for the Family Care and Partnership programs.

3) Shawn Bass – Managing Threatening Confrontations Part OneManaging Threatening Confrontations is designed to assist you in learning how to effectively support adults with developmental disabilities and others who could experience the full range of behavioral escalation. These moments often appear chaotic, when to talk, when to step back, who to call for back up, and “when to duck.” This seminar is designed to put order to the chaos. Stages of escalation are described and each stage is paired with a positive action plan for caregivers as well as teams. The content places strong emphasis on pro-active supports. The principles are taught in a straightforward manner so as to provide a framework for conceptualizing behavior escalation that can readily translate into positive plans of action.

4) Rock Pledl – Legal LandscapeIn Wisconsin and other states, disability advocates have been using a variety of legal strategies to address funding limitations and other systemic problems in long-term care programs. The usual remedy is a state administrative hearing, but some courts have been receptive to claims that funding decisions can be challenged as disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This presentation will review the status of this emerging area of law and the implications for future advocacy in Wisconsin regarding provider rates.

Breakout Session 32:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

1) Forbes McIntosh – State Political LandscapeForbes McIntosh, a 22-year veteran lobbyist at the Wisconsin State Capitol, will provide an overview of the state political landscape and the top legislative \ state budget issues that impact RFW and RSA members. Mr. McIntosh will explain the importance of member advocacy and building member relationships with state lawmakers.

2) Robin Kennedy – Grass Roots Panel Session will focus on the proven results of the A TEA.M. Grassroots System across the state of Wisconsin. Panel will consist of A TEA.M. Facilitators who have successfully implemented the A TEA.M. system with stakeholders. Panelists will share their assets, challenges and needs considered when establishing an A TEA.M. initiative.

3) Nancy Molfenter from DPI and Sarah Lincoln from DVR and Janet Estervig DHS - WIOA Forum This will be a joint presentation between the WDPI, DVR, and DHS to explain the requirements of WIOA along with the steps being taken by all transition partners to ensure not only implementation of WIOA, but also the provision of employment opportunities for all students and youth in Wisconsin. The topics of Pre-Employment Transition Services, ideas for collaboration across systems, Section 511, and intersection with the HCBS Waiver final rule will be covered.

4) Shawn Bass – Managing Threatening Confrontations Part Two Managing Threatening Confrontations is designed to assist you in learning how to effectively support adults with developmental disabilities and others who could experience the full range of behavioral escalation. These moments often appear chaotic, when to talk, when to step back, who to call for back up, and “when to duck.” This seminar is designed to put order to the chaos. Stages of escalation are described and each stage is paired with a positive action plan for caregivers as well as teams. The content places strong emphasis on pro-active supports. The principles are taught in a straightforward manner so as to provide a framework for conceptualizing behavior escalation that can readily translate into positive plans of action.

Breakout Session 43:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

1) Jess Smith and Elizabeth Watson – WIOA Career Counseling Sessions 511 with UW-Whitewater Elizabeth Watson Wisconsin is responsible for implementing requirements of the federally-mandated Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act as it relates to employees paid under 14(c) certificates. This session discusses how the WI WIOA Career Interview Project at UW-Whitewater implemented these requirements using a worker-centric philosophy. Attendees will learn about the interview process and the preliminary findings, as well as best practices from around the state. There will be time for attendees to provide feedback and ask questions about this new project.

2) Kate McSweeny – Federal Political Landscape

Advocating on behalf of people with disabilities at the federal level — what works best. This session will review current advocacy efforts related to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Home and Community-Based Settings Rule, and will explore the unintended consequences of defining jobs and settings in a way that reduce opportunities for people with significant disabilities.

3) Nancy Molfenter and Robin Kennedy – Success that Crosses Providers and Settings Teachers, Students, and ProvidersThe Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) strengthens requirements for school transition services, provides a set of service categories to work from, and stresses competitive, integrated employment as the outcome for all students with disabilities. While WIOA prohibits schools from operating under a 14 (c) special wage certificate or purchasing transition services that include work typically paid at sub-minimum wage, many schools across Wisconsin – and students who attend them – benefit greatly from vocational support provider services. Individual examples and programs like Project SEARCH can help students, teachers, parents, and employers understand that the path to employment for students with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities, is often paved with multiple partners, including community rehabilitation providers.

Friday, May 5, 2017

Keynote8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Peter Leidy – Innovation Through Improvisation

Unlocking Creativity, Getting Results, and Having FunWhen many people think of improv, Drew Carey or Second City may come to mind. But the rules of improv can be practical, powerful and fun “tools” for generating ideas, unlocking frozen brains, and giving a lift to our teams and workplaces. While this session will be active and fun, it is not about comedy. Attendees will learn a new way of generating ideas, “Yes, AND” rather than “Yes, But,” and will experience the positive, creative energy that ensues. This leads to better opportunities for people being supported, AND, greater joy and satisfaction for the supporters.

Breakout Session 19:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

1) Michael Matus – Marketing and Sales This session will describe Goodwill of SE Wisconsin’s philosophy towards Business Development, our strategy and associated tactics, and how it translates into our collective effort to place people with disabilities into jobs – both internally and externally.

This session will focus on providing support for people with disabilities in community and work settings. How do you maintain a person’s dignity and space when providing job coach support at the workplace or when providing supports in the community? How do you use “mindfulness” in your support strategies that result in both the person you support and yourself having positive outcomes? Learn tips that can give you and your staff more options in supporting people that focuses on respect and mutual understanding.

Closing Sessions10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

1) Peter Leidy – Seven Ways to Prevent a Crisis Many people labeled with “challenging behavior” spiral into crisis through actions and events that could have been avoided. Many crises are caused – unintentionally – by the system, the team or the behavior plan. When people are lonely and disconnected, when life is dull, when a “home” does not feel like home, when a place where someone spends the day is not a good match – the likelihood of unwanted behavior increases. This is not a session about techniques, but rather about how paying attention to quality of life relates to crisis prevention.

2) Janet Estervig – Personal Care ProvisionThis session will focus on providing personal care at home and in the workplace. Receive materials to assist in training support staff in the provision of personal care with an emphasis on maintaining the person’s dignity with respectful interactions. Learn tips on providing personal care in community environments as well.

Sponsors & Exhibitors

at the

May 3-5, 2017

GLACIER CANYON CONFERENCE CENTER WILDERNESS RESORT, WISCONSIN DELLS

We would like to thank the organizations that helped make this event possible!